Luxury Thai restaurant Chaophraya is to take over the key rooftop area which will form the focal point of intu Eldon Square ’s new multi-million pound dining area.

The director of the South East Asian specialist – already a huge hit in six cities including Leeds, Manchester, Glasgow and Birmingham – has confirmed that the company will open in Newcastle city centre, signing up to the prime plot overlooking Grey’s Monument.

A significant sum will be invested into the creation of the 5,500 sq ft restaurant, which will also create new jobs. Chaophraya has signed a 20-year lease.

Diners will access the restaurant via a scenic lift to the rooftop, where they will experience an authentic taste of Thailand, sampling local delicacies along with famous Thai hospitality and cocktails.

Ian Leigh, managing director of Thai Leisure Group said: “We are delighted to have secured such a fantastic location at intu Eldon Square, in the heart of Newcastle city centre. Our restaurants offer the finest Thai dining experience and we’re really looking forward to bringing it to the North East.”

Having invested heavily in the retail mall areas, intu is now spending large sums on its leisure areas, and when Grey’s Quarter opens this autumn there will be 20 new restaurants.

Half of the 20 operators have now been unveiled as having signed leases, the list including the likes of Chiquito, Frankie & Benny’s, Tapas Revolution, Handmade Burger Co, TGI Fridays, Ed’s Diner, Giraffe, The Alchemist and Bella Italia.

Last week it was also revealed that ASK will be joining that list, taking approximately 4,000 sq ft for a 25-year lease on the lower level of Grey’s Quarter.

Luxury Thai restaurant Chaophraya is set to open in Newcastle (Image: intu)

Kate Grant, regional director of intu, said: “There is a huge amount of excitement amongst restaurateurs, who are all looking to be a part of this amazing development at intu Eldon Square. Our line-up is sure to keep our visitors satisfied, with a variety of world cuisine, from Italian to Mexican, from Spanish to Thai and from American to British, there really is something for everyone.

“It is great to welcome Chaophraya and ASK Italian to intu Eldon Square and we look forward to announcing further additions to our line up soon.”

The announcement that Chaophraya is coming to Newcastle marks a major step forward in the development, and comes more than two years after the firm’s directors first visited the city, posting a photo from the rooftop on social media.

Chaophraya forms part of Thai Leisure Group (TLG), a group of four restaurant brands which was formed by Martin Stead and Kim Kaewkraikhot, a chef who ran her own restaurant in Bangkok before bringing Thai cuisine to the UK.

The firm’s managing director Ian Leigh announced the opening of the Newcastle site, which follows a bumper year with the group passing £30m in sales.

The success allows TLG to continue their expansion and development of new sites, following on from the opening of four news sites in 2015 at a cost of £4m.

At the moment, the firm has 15 restaurants across the four core brands – Thaikhun, Chaophraya, ChaoBaby and Yee Rah – but a further eight to ten new sites will be added this year. As well as opening in intu Eldon Square, the firm will open Thaikhun, a Thai street food concept eatery, in intu Metrocentre next month.